«With just ten days remaining until the special exhibition Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom closes on February 23, here are our top ten reasons to visit (or revisit) these exquisite treasures.»
10. Because every single wonderful object will go back to Korea.
Gallery view of the exhibition Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013. Photography by Wilson Santiago
9. Celebrate the Year of the Horse.
Zodiac figure of a horse. Korea, Silla kingdom, 8th century. Agalmatolite; H. 15 3/8 in. (39.2cm). National Museum of Korea
8. Watch the "Lego for Adults" 3D animation video.
3D animation of the construction of the 8th-centuy Buddhist monument Seokguram Grotto. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013. Photography by Wilson Santiago
7. View jewels worth drooling over.
Pair of earrings. Korea, Silla kingdom, second quarter of 6th century. Gold; L. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm). National Museum of Korea, National Treasure 90
6. Meet intriguing monsters.
Roof tile with bestial face. Korea, Silla kingdom, 7th–8th century. Earthenware; H. 10 1/4 in. (26.1 cm). Gyeongju National Museum, Korea
5. Get up close and personal with a one-of-a-kind gold dagger.
Dagger and sheath. Black Sea-area Central Asia, 5th century. Gold inlaid with garnet and glass; L. 14 1/8 in. (36 cm). Gyeongju National Museum, Korea, Treasure 635
4. Enjoy spectacular ceramics.
Covered dish on perforated base with horse decoration. Korea, Silla kingdom, 5th–6th century. Stoneware; H. 10 1/4 in. (26.2 cm). Gyeongju National Museum, Korea
3. Because you never know who you might see.
Psy at the exhibition Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom. Iron Buddha. Korea, Silla kingdom, late 8th–9th century. Cast iron; H. 59 1/8 in. (150 cm). National Museum of Korea
2. Marvel at "Korea's Mona Lisa," the sublime pensive bodhisattva.
Bodhisattva in pensive pose. Korea, Silla kingdom, late 6th–early 7th century. Gilt bronze; H. 36 7/8 in. (93.5 cm). National Museum of Korea, National Treasure 83. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013. Photography by Wilson Santiago
1. Imagine yourself wearing that gold crown.
Crown. Korea, Silla kingdom, second half of 5th century. Gold and jade; H. 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm). Gyeongju National Museum, Korea, National Treasure 191